Fiber connector assembly

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides embodiments of fiber optic cable connectors, sleeves for fiber optic cable connectors, fiber optic cable adapters and fiber optic connector assemblies that incorporate intelligent systems that can identify presence and exchange information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending Application Serial No.16/040,232 filed on Jul. 19, 2018, and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Serial No. 62/534,633 filed on Jul. 19, 2017 thecontents of both are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber connector assembliesand more particularly to fiber connector assemblies that include asleeve that fits over a fiber cable connector and an adapter thatreceives the fiber cable connector and sleeve.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes embodiments of fiber cable connectors,sleeves for fiber cable connectors, fiber cable adapters and fiberconnector assemblies that incorporate intelligent systems that canidentify presence and exchange information. In one exemplary embodiment,a fiber optic cable connector assembly includes a fiber optic cableconnector, a sleeve and a fiber optic cable adapter. The fiber opticcable connector has a housing and a ferrule extending from the housing.The sleeve has a body with a central opening, a media interface housingextending from the body and at least one electrical storage media, suchas an EEPROM, within the media interface housing. The sleeve isconfigured to fit over the fiber optic cable connector housing. Thefiber optic cable adapter has a housing that includes a body, a presencedetecting switch and a storage media read/write interface. The body hasa central opening configured to receive at least the ferrule of theconnector. The presence detecting switch is configured to actuate whenthe ferrule is inserted into the central opening of the adapter housing.The storage media read/write interface is capable of reading from andwriting to the at least one electrical storage media. The fiber opticcable connector assembly may also include an RFID tag that is secured tothe sleeve body and that can be read by a RFID reader. The fiber opticcable connector assembly may include a multi-fiber cable connector andadapter, or a single fiber cable connector and adapter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of theattendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the samebecomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic high-density connector;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiber optichigh-density sleeve according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiber optichigh-density connector with the fiber optic high-density sleeveaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of a chip assembly incorporated into thefiber optic high-density sleeve of FIG. 2 taken from detail 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic high-density connector according to the present disclosure,illustrating a chip assembly and RFID tag incorporated into the fiberoptic high-density sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic high-density connector according to the present disclosure,illustrating a RFID tag incorporated into the fiber optic high-densitysleeve;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view with parts separated of an exemplaryembodiment of a fiber connector assembly according to the presentdisclosure, illustrating a fiber optic high-density adapter and a fiberoptic high-density connector with fiber optic high-density sleeve ofFIG. 3 ;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fiber connector assembly of FIG. 7 ,illustrating the fiber optic high-density adapter coupled to the fiberoptic high-density connector with the fiber optic high-density sleeve;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fiber optic low-density connector;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic low-density sleeve according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic low-density connector with the fiber optic low-density sleeveaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of a chip assembly incorporated into thefiber optic low-density sleeve of FIG. 11 taken from detail 12 in FIG.11 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic low-density connector according to the present disclosure,illustrating a chip assembly and RFID tag incorporated into the fiberoptic low-density sleeve;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a fiberoptic low-density connector according to the present disclosure,illustrating a RFID tag incorporated into the fiber optic low-densitysleeve;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view with parts separated of another exemplaryembodiment of a fiber connector assembly according to the presentdisclosure, illustrating a fiber optic low-density adapter and a fiberoptic low-density connector with fiber optic low-density sleeve of FIG.11 ;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the fiber connector assembly of FIG. 15, illustrating the fiber optic low-density adapter coupled to multiplefiber optic low-density connectors with fiber optic low-density sleeve;and

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a portable, hand-held storage mediaprogramming tool contemplated by the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides embodiments of fiber cable connectors,sleeves for fiber cable connectors, fiber cable adapters and fiberconnector assemblies that incorporate intelligent systems that canidentify presence and exchange information. For ease of description, thefiber cable connectors may also be referred to herein as the “connector”in the singular and the “connectors” in the plural. The fiber cableconnector sleeves may also be referred to herein as the “sleeve” in thesingular and the “sleeves” in the plural. The fiber cable adapters mayalso be referred to herein as the “adapter” in the singular and the“adapters” in the plural. The fiber connector assemblies may also bereferred to herein as the “assembly” in the singular and the“assemblies” in the plural. Each assembly includes at least oneconnector, sleeve and corresponding adapter.

The connectors and adapters contemplated herein may be multi-fiberconnectors and adapters, or single fiber connectors and adapters. Eachmulti-fiber connector contemplated herein is capable of mating with acorresponding multi-fiber adapter, and each single fiber connectorcontemplated herein is capable of mating with a corresponding singlefiber adapter. Non-limiting examples of multi-fiber connectors andadapters include Multi-fiber Push On (“MPO”) type connectors andadapters, which are sometimes called MTP connectors and adapters, MXCconnectors and adapters, and other connectors and adapters capable oftrunking more than one fiber in a single jacket. Non-limiting examplesof single fiber connectors and adapters include Lucent (“LC”), SC, FC/PCconnectors and adapters, and other connector and adapter types thatterminate single fiber cables. The sleeves are configured to attach tomulti-fiber connectors or single fiber connectors.

Turning to the figures and in particular FIGS. 1-4 , an exemplaryembodiment of a multi-fiber connector with a multi-fiber sleeveaccording to the present disclosure is shown. The multi-fiber connector10 may be a male connector or a female connector. The multi-fiberconnector 10 is, in this exemplary embodiment, a known MPO connectorthat can be operatively connected to a multi-fiber cable 12. The sleeve30 is configured to fit over the housing 14 of the connector 10 so thatthe ferrule 16 of the connector can mate with an adapter, as describedbelow. The connector 10 and sleeve 30 are collectively the assembly 50,seen in FIG. 3 . In one exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 30 has a body32 with a central opening 34 that can be configured to slide over thehousing 14 of the connector 10. The body 32 has inner walls 36 thatdefine the central opening 34. To interlock the sleeve 30 to theconnector housing 14, tabs may extend from one or more inner walls 36that snap into corresponding slots 18 in the connector housing 14. Inanother exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 30 may be a two-piece structurethat include a first half and a second half that can be joined togetheraround the connector housing 14 with a snap locking fit. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the sleeve 30 may be integrally molded into theconnector housing 14.

Referring to FIG. 2 , extending from a front face of the body 32 is amedia interface housing 38 that is configured to receive one or morestorage media 70, seen in FIG. 4 . In this exemplary embodiment, the oneor more storage media 70 are electrical type storage media. Non-limitingexamples of electrical type storage media include EEPROM’s or othermemory chips that can store information, or that can be programmed tostore such information. The information stored on the storage media 70includes, for example, identifying data and cable characteristics.Non-limiting examples of the connector identifying data and cablecharacteristics include connector ID, connector type, cable color, cablelength, cable ID, cable fiber type, and any other desired information.The present disclosure also contemplates a portable, hand held storagemedia programmer 80, seen in FIG. 17 , that includes an adapter 82configured to couple to the media interface housing 38 so thatelectrical contacts within the adapter 82 can contact the one or morestorage media 70 to program the one or more storage media with thedesired information, for example, the connector, cable and/or otherinformation. It is noted that electrical type storage media on aconnector is also known as “chip on a connector.”

Referring to FIG. 5 , in addition to having a chip on a connector, thesleeve 30 may also include an RFID tag or a near field communication(NFC) device. In one exemplary embodiment, an RFID tag 90 may be securedto the exterior of the body 32 and covered with a protective member ormaterial so that the integrity of the RFID tag is not diminished. Inanother exemplary embodiment, an inner wall 36 of the sleeve body 32 mayinclude a recess that is configured and dimensioned to receive the RFIDtag. The RFID tag can be secured within the recess using an adhesive,such as an epoxy adhesive. The RFID tag can store connector identifyingdata and cable characteristics, such as for example, connector ID,connector type, cable color, cable length, cable ID, cable fiber type,etc. The RFID tag 90 can be any type of RFID tag known in the art andcan be read using known RFID readers.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in another exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 30 mayinclude an RFID tag or a near field communication (NFC) device withoutthe storage media. In one exemplary embodiment, an RFID tag 90 may besecured to the exterior of the body 32 and covered with a protectivemember or material so that the integrity of the RFID tag is notdiminished. In another exemplary embodiment, an inner wall 36 of thesleeve body 32 may include a recess that is configured and dimensionedto receive the RFID tag. The RFID tag can be secured within the recessusing an adhesive, such as an epoxy adhesive. The RFID tag can storeconnector identifying data and cable characteristics, such as forexample, connector ID, connector type, cable color, cable length, cableID, cable fiber type, etc. As noted, the RFID tag 90 is known in the artand can be read using known RFID readers.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , an exemplary embodiment of a multi-fiberadapter according to the present disclosure is shown. In this exemplaryembodiment, the multi-fiber adapter 100 is a MPO adapter that may besecured to, for example, an adapter module (not shown) or a front orrear panel of a housing of network device, such as a server, patchpanel, switch, etc. The adapter 100 includes a housing 102 having acentral opening 104 configured to receive the ferrule 16 of amulti-fiber connector assembly 50. Within the central opening is apresence detecting switch that includes pins 106 and 108, each having anelectrical contact 106 a and 108 a extending from the housing 102 asshown. The presence detecting switch pins 106 and 108 are used to detectthe presence of a connector 10 within the central opening 104 of theadapter housing 102. More specifically, when the ferrule 16 of aconnector 10 is inserted into the central opening 104, seen in FIG. 8 ,the presence detecting switch pins 106 and 108, seen in FIG. 7 , aredepressed creating an electrical path between electrical contact 106 aand 108 a which can be measured. The adapter housing 102 also includes astorage media read/write interface 110 that is configured to receive themedia interface housing 38 extending from the connector body 32. Thestorage media read/write interface 110 includes one or more mediaread/write contacts 112 and 114, seen in FIG. 7 , each having anelectrical lead 112 a and 114 a extending from the adapter housing 102.The media read/write contacts 112 and 114 are configured to contact arespective storage media 70 within the media interface housing 38 sothat information stored on the storage media can be read via theelectrical lead 112 a and/or 114 a, as is known.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12 , an exemplary embodiment of a single fiberconnector with a single fiber sleeve according to the present disclosureis shown. The single fiber connector 200 may be a male connector or afemale connector. The single fiber connector 200 is, in this exemplaryembodiment, a known LC connector that can be operatively connected to asingle fiber cable 212. Typically, single fiber connectors are paired toprovide a transmit fiber and a receive fiber. Thus, in this exemplaryembodiment, the sleeve 230 is configured to fit over the housings 214 oftwo connectors 200, as seen in FIG. 11 , so that the ferrule 216 of eachconnector can mate with a paired adapter, as described below. In thisexemplary embodiment, the connectors 200 and sleeve 230 are collectivelythe assembly 250, seen in FIG. 11 . In one exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 10 , the sleeve 230 has a body 232 that is configured with a leftside connector opening 234 and a right side connector opening 236, seenin FIG. 10 . The openings 234 and 236 are configured so that theconnector housings 214 can snap into the respective opening 234 or 236.To interlock the sleeve 230 to each connector housing 214, tabs mayextend from one or more inner walls of the openings 234 and/or 236 thatsnap into corresponding slots in the respective connector housing 214.In another exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 230 may be a two-piecestructure that include a first half and a second half that can snaptogether around the connector housings 214. In another exemplaryembodiment, the sleeve 230 may be integrally molded into the connectorhousings 214.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 10 and 11 , extending from an upper surfaceof the body 232 is a release lever 238 that interacts with the lockingarms 218 extending from the connector housing 214 used to lock theconnector 200 to an adapter, as is known. Extending from the bottom ofthe body 232 is a media interface housing 240 that is configured toreceive one or more storage media 270, seen in FIG. 12 . In thisexemplary embodiment, the one or more storage media 270 are electricaltype storage media. Non-limiting examples of electrical type storagemedia 270 include an EEPROM or other memory chip that can storeinformation, such as connector identifying data and cablecharacteristics, or that can be programmed to store such information.Non-limiting examples of the connector identifying data and cablecharacteristics include connector ID, connector type, cable color, cablelength, cable ID, cable fiber type, and any other desired information.As noted above, the present disclosure also contemplates a portable,hand held storage media programmer 80, seen in FIG. 17 , that includesan adapter 82 configured to couple to the media interface housing 240 sothat pins within the adapter 82 can contact the one or more storagemedia 270 to program the one or more storage media with informationabout, for example, the connector, cable and/or other information.

Referring to FIG. 13 , in addition to having a storage media 270, thesleeve 230 may also include an RFID tag or a near field communication(NFC) device. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag 90 may besecured to the exterior of the body 232 and covered with a protectivemember or material so that the integrity of the RFID tag is notdiminished. In another exemplary embodiment, an inner wall of the sleevebody 232 may include a recess that is configured and dimensioned toreceive the RFID tag. The RFID tag can be secured within the recessusing an adhesive, such as an epoxy adhesive. The RFID tag 90 can storeconnector identifying data and cable characteristics, such as forexample, connector ID, connector type, cable color, cable length, cableID, cable fiber type, etc.

Referring to FIG. 14 , in another exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 230may include an RFID tag or a near field communication (NFC) devicewithout the chip on connector. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag90 may be secured to the exterior of the body 232 and covered with aprotective member or material so that the integrity of the RFID tag isnot diminished. In another exemplary embodiment, an inner wall of thesleeve body 232 may include a recess that is configured and dimensionedto receive the RFID tag. The RFID tag can be secured within the recessusing an adhesive, such as an epoxy adhesive. The RFID tag can storeconnector identifying data and cable characteristics, such as forexample, connector ID, connector type, cable color, cable length, cableID, cable fiber type, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 , an exemplary embodiment of a single fiberadapter according to the present disclosure is shown. In this exemplaryembodiment, the single fiber adapter 300 is a LC adapter that may besecured to, for example, an adapter module (not shown) or a front orrear panel of a housing of network device, such as a server, patchpanel, switch, etc. The adapter 300 is a quad adapter where two portsare associated with one assembly 250 and the other two ports areassociated with another assembly 250. The adapter 300 includes a housing302 having central openings 304 configured to receive the ferrules 216from the two single fiber connector assemblies 250. Within the centralopenings 304, representing two ports, is a presence detecting switchthat includes pins 306 and 308 operatively connected between electricalcontact 306 a and 308 a extending from the housing 302 as shown. Eachpresence detecting switch is used to detect the presence of theconnectors 200 within the central openings 304 of the adapter housing302. More specifically, when the ferrules 216 of connectors 200 areinserted into the central openings 304, seen in FIG. 16 , the presencedetecting switch pins 306 and 308, seen in FIG. 15 , are depressedcreating an electrical path between electrical contact 306 a and 308 awhich can be measured. The adapter housing 302 also includes storagemedia read/write interfaces 310, each configured to receive the mediainterface housing 240 extending from a corresponding connector body 232.Each storage media read/write interface 310 includes one or more mediaread/write contacts 312 and 314, seen in FIG. 15 , each having anelectrical lead 312 a and 314 a extending from the adapter housing 302.The media read/write contacts 312 and 314 are configured to contact arespective storage media 270 within the media interface housing 240 sothat information stored on the storage media can be read via theelectrical lead 312 a and/or 314 a.

As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate likeor corresponding parts. While illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should beunderstood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to beconsidered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and othermodifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to beconsidered as limited by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic cable connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable connector having a connector housing and a ferrule extending from the connector housing; a sleeve having a sleeve body with a central sleeve opening, a media interface housing extending from the sleeve body and at least one electrical storage media within the media interface housing, the sleeve being configured to fit over the connector housing; and a fiber optic cable adapter having an adapter housing comprising: an adapter body having a central adapter opening configured to receive at least the ferrule; a presence detecting switch configured to actuate when the ferrule is inserted into the central adapter opening; and a storage media interface that is capable of reading from and writing to the at least one electrical storage media.
 2. The fiber optic cable connector assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an RFID tag secured to the sleeve body.
 3. The fiber optic cable connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable connector comprises a single fiber cable connector and the fiber optic cable adapter comprises a single fiber cable adapter.
 4. The fiber optic cable connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical storage media comprises an EEPROM.
 5. A fiber optic cable connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable connector having a connector housing and a ferrule extending from the connector housing; a sleeve configured to fit over the connector housing, the sleeve comprising: a sleeve body with a central sleeve opening; a media interface housing extending from the sleeve body and having at least one electrical storage media within the media interface housing; and a RFID tag secured to the sleeve body; a fiber optic cable adapter having an adapter housing comprising: an adapter body having a central adapter opening configured to receive at least the ferrule; a presence detecting switch configured to actuate when the ferrule is inserted into the central adapter opening; and a storage media interface that is capable of reading from and writing to the at least one electrical storage media.
 6. The fiber optic cable connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the fiber optic cable connector comprises a single fiber cable connector and the fiber optic cable adapter comprises a single fiber cable adapter.
 7. The fiber optic cable connector assembly according to claim 5, wherein the at least one electrical storage media comprises an EEPROM.
 8. A fiber optic cable connector comprising: a connector housing and a ferrule extending from the connector housing; and a sleeve having a sleeve body with a central sleeve opening, a media interface housing extending from the sleeve body and at least one electrical storage media within the media interface housing, the sleeve being configured to fit over the connector housing.
 9. The fiber optic cable connector according to claim 8, further comprising an RFID tag secured to the sleeve body.
 10. The fiber optic cable connector according to claim 8, wherein the connector housing comprises a single fiber cable connector housing.
 11. The fiber optic cable connector according to claim 8, wherein the at least one electrical storage media comprises an EEPROM. 